Gone are the days where writers and content creators needed a publishing house to help them distribute their latest work. Today, a piece of content can be shared effortlessly through a company’s web site or social media channel(s).

Where does that leave books?

Going digital

eBooks exploded over the past couple of years – first, with the development of Amazon’s Kindle and Barnes n Noble’s Nook. Now, the iPad has taken the market to new heights. In fact, the move has destroyed some businesses – most notably, Borders.

Publishers and authors can decide to release a book… without printing. Via Amazon, Barnes n Noble, or the iTunes Store, users can purchase directly from a publishing house.

The self-author

More recently, authors are foregoing the business model all together. Rather than work with a publisher to determine cost, shipments, and logistics, forward-thinking creators can work with Amazon’s Domino Project to offer free, short-form books. A good example: Julien Smith, who previously wrote (and distributed in the traditional fashion) “Trust Agents,” released a book through Amazon with a free digital download.

Beyond reading

Apple’s latest investment goes beyond the printed word. Their iBooks Author program provides content creators another distribution stream… but with interactive content.

Authors can create books that feature animations, photos, and videos for use on the iPad. And they can be sold for as little as $0.

Opportunities abound

So we’ve gone from the printed word, to eBooks, to interactive offerings (all within a few years). Needless to say, the creation of free eBooks or iBooks should be a part of many companies’ future content marketing plans.

“I need something in my hands!” my father decrees, sharing how he reads news via the print edition of The Boston Globe.

He’s not alone.

Traditionally, humans learned of the latest news developments from their regional news publication – a literal newspaper. Needless to say, the medium changed.

The fear of customized news

I recall reading an article 10-15 years ago about the possibilities of receiving a “custom newspaper” in your inbox. This was considered a big problem – would readers ignore hard news for entertainment and sports coverage? The horror!

Today, that “horror” materializes as “options.” Readers use several strategies to digest news, including:

• A paid digital subscription, like The New York Times or The Boston Globe,
• A news reader application that pulls information from several sites simultaneously, or
• Social media applications.

Experiential news

Another marked changed comes via the delivery mechanism. Readers who rely solely on the internet for news read on a desktop, mobile phone, or tablet – and can view additional content beyond the printed word with color photos, videos, and interactive graphics that serve up content not available in my father’s newspaper.

One new trend across the web, responsive design, allows readers to digest news at the same web site, independent of their device. The Boston Globedoes a great job of this at thebostonglobe.com.

The news cycle

Perhaps the biggest shift comes from the new interpretation of the word “journalist.” Quite often, readers receive news via sharing. I might hear about the latest news development from a Twitter follower whom I’ve never met. Or, learn of a new technology trend from a video blog.

The new news

Gone are the days of Walter Cronkite and The New York Times, early edition. Here to stay are varying delivery methods for all types of news. How long will newspapers last?

I think it’s the opposite.

Developing great work

Great works of marketing, literature, and speech often come from pride. Sure, hard work plays a large role. But folks who are known as social media giants, elite athletes, or powerful orators are all proud of themselves and their accomplishments.

Instead of “hey, look at me!”, the proud think, “hey, I’m looking inside and I want this to be awesome!”

Creation

Another way to look at it: pride comes from creation. In the 2000 film “Finding Forrester,” the character of William Forrester claims that he didn’t write his novel for them (critics), but for himself.

This creation needn’t be a physical item. Everyday folks can take pride in their:

• home, by keeping rooms clean,
• car or workspace, by doing the same,
• wardrobe, by taking care of their garments,
• community, by volunteering time,
• health, by exercising regularly, or
• artistic development through music, dance, and expression.

It may be one of the seven deadly sins, but pride provides the one outlet that makes me tick. Why are you proud?

From the HB Blog

“You don’t even know what the thing is yet.” – Sean Parker, “The Social Network”

Much like Justin Timberlake’s line from the 2010 film, “The Social Network,” this Google+ “thing” has yet to find an identity since its launch in June of last year – and that’s okay.

The platform offers some of the same things as other major players Twitter and Facebook:

• follow other users’ news streams,
• share interesting content via text, links, photos, and videos, and
• comment on others’ posts.

However, there are two unique offerings that help separate Google+ as its own platform.

The power of search

As we all know, Google dominates the search market. Google+ offers users and businesses the added bonus of search traffic to their accounts. Now, your bio, content, and posts are all searchable content. In fact, Google created controversy with their recent announcement regarding Google+ content appearing in Google searches.

Businesses can heighten their brand awareness efforts with engaging content on their Google+ pages that will accompany searches about their brand, product, or service.

Let’s hang out

The second unique feature comes from Google’s take on video chats. They’re called Hangouts, or impromptu video chats with dozens of people.

With a few simple clicks, you can invite certain people to private chats for collaboration and communication, or offer a public forum for topical discussion. I see great potential in Hangouts for businesses. Companies can offer previously impossible direct contact with their customers to provide support and recommendations in the hopes of extending the customer’s relationship with a brand.

Only six months into its life, Google+ sits in prime position to grow in 2012. Will you grow with it?

Although I do not consider myself a Zen Buddhist, the end of the calendar year offers unique opportunities to ask self-facing questions. What did I accomplish in 2011? What goals should I set for 2012? How can I become a better me?

Concentrate on a few goals

Chris Brogan uses his “3 words” to drive his rebirth every new year. At HB, we set four broad goals with specific, attainable tasks to complete throughout the year.

I plan to do the same for 2012. My three key developmental areas:

• Writing and content development. Via JRHcreative and The HB Blog, I plan to write several blog posts a month. Some will serve as video posts.
• Contributions. I will comment feverishly on marketing blogs and Google+ to stay abreast on industry trends and its fire starters.
• Think big. My sense of design drives my thinking  – but I want to bring that aesthetic to my strategic development, content development, an ideation process.

One year from now, I plan to share my successes in a similar blog post… and develop three new concentrations for 2013.

What are your plans for next year? 

Develop Quality with Quantity

The brilliant Chris Brogan recently wrote about focus. In the post, Brogan argues the power of less – by stopping certain tasks (even some you may enjoy), opportunities arise. Doing less results in accomplishing more.

“At its root, focus is about less. There can’t be two #1 priorities…. It’s simple. It’s about less. (Want a hint about less? Check out The Power of Less.)”

Stop Flinching

Another way to defeat the better you: develop a higher pain threshold. Julien Smith, who released “The Flinch” for a free digital download this week, reminds us that pain and challenges must exist in order to develop your best work.

“Because you are a human being, you are programmed to settle in one way or another, and breaking that programming will hurt. Get used to it– it’s the only way to make something exceptional.”

You 2.0

Focus. Do less. Develop a tolerance and confidence in times of pain and challenge. These suggestions will help you crush you work no matter the obstacle.

The better you is shakin’ in his boots.

How cool! The UFC’s nerdiest fighter, Joe Lauzon, graces the cover of this month’s Fight! Magazine.

Without stealing the spotlight, I was proud to see the Lauzon MMA logo on which Joe and I worked together make it on the front cover. Very exciting!

I’ve been lucky to work with Joe over the years, designing logos and apparel for he and his gym – I look forward to continuing the relationship as Joe furthers his career in the UFC.

Tools

Through the use of Google Analytics and Radian6, we made educated recommendations for how best to use the client’s web presence. What types of blog posts and announcements created the most traffic? What types of content attracted the most visitors? What messages resonated? And how did the conversation shift over time? These answers lead to well-informed recommendations – and more importantly, increased value for the client.

Measurement

The beauty of research and analysis in marketing: the data never stops. As strategists and marketers, we can “re-measure” digital data for the purposes of making even more educated recommendations. How is data helping you make decisions?

I spoke to three different classes about the role of research and analysis in marketing.

I had the pleasure of speaking at my alma mater, Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, earlier this week. It served as a proud moment for me – traveling back to Syracuse to share real-life experiences with current students. In short, I was able to “give back.”

Go-givers

However, none of this would have happened without the help of a giver: Steve Masiclat, my ex-professor-turned-colleague, who was kind enough to invite me into his class. More importantly, Steve did an amazing job at “making me look good.” By that, I mean he referenced specific parts of my speech as part of his teaching for the day.

I encourage you to give back to your school, community, or favorite charity. Much like my return to SU, I’m sure those acts will be incredibly rewarding.

So thanks to Steve for inviting me to the ‘Cuse. And thanks to HB for encouraging me to speak and for continually investing in my personal development. And thanks to all the grad students for listening – I hope my talk was valuable.

Mine?! Mine?! Yours.

One of Steve Jobs’s legacies lives on at Pixar Animation Studios. Much like Apple, Pixar creates a unique, organic culture resulting in incredible, award-winning animated films. How do they do it?

Feedback

Pixar prides themselves on constant feedback, a concept discussed in this Harvard Business Review article. Peers provide candid thoughts and recommendations throughout the movie-making process. Sometimes, Pixar will scrap an entire sequence or storyline based on internal team discussion.

Implementation

How can feedback play a role in your life? I experienced an incredible session of feedback today while practicing for next week’s talk at Syracuse University. I shared the entire talk and presentation in front of my teammates (HBers), who provided straightforward feedback that will result in a better speech.

Sharing

The best way to improve your product, brand or service? Share. As much as possible. Have a design that isn’t complete? Or the first few pages of a screenplay? Or maybe the first draft of a video blog? Share, share, share. A culture of sharing results in the best possible work. Just look at Pixar.